Locking means for double pin fluorescent lamps

ABSTRACT

Locking means for fluorescent lamps, particularly such lamps which have two current-carrying pins protruding substantially axially of the lamp from each of its ends and engaging the complemental pin-engaging, current-carrying contact means for the said pins fixedly disposed in the lamp holder means at opposite ends of the lamp to prevent axial rotation of the lamp and the disengagement of its said pins from the said current-carrying contact means of the lamp holder means, whereby disengagement of the lamp from the lamp holder means is prevented and its possible falling therefrom and damage to it, as well as cessation of the lighting effect, will be avoided. Also, inasmuch as such lamps are most often suspended from ceilings, or other fixed mounting means located above the area ultimately to be illuminated by the lamps, devices for facilitating the replacement of burnt-out, or otherwise inoperative, lamps are provided in order to protect workmen who perform the said services against falling lamps and other customary hazards of such services.

United States Patent Detch et al.

[ LOCKING MEANS FOR DOUBLE PIN FLUORESCENT LAMPS [76] Inventors: Lewis Detch; Olive A. Detch, both of 2133 Chalfant St., Pittsburgh, Pa. 15221 221 Filed: Dec.4, 1973 211 App]. No.: 421,658

Detch 11 339/54 Primary ExaminerR0y D. Frazier Assistant Examiner-Terrell P Lewis [451 July 1, 1975 [57] ABSTRACT Locking means for fluorescent lamps. particularly such lamps which have two current-carrying pins protruding substantially axially of the lamp from each of its ends and engaging the complemental pin-engaging, current-carrying contact means for the said pins fixedly disposed in the lamp holder means at opposite ends of the lamp to prevent axial rotation of the lamp and the disengagement of its said pins from the said current-carrying contact means of the lamp holder means, whereby disengagement of the lamp from the lamp holder means is prevented and its possible falling therefrom and damage to it, as well as cessation of the lighting effect. will be avoided.

Also, inasmuch as such lamps are most often suspended from ceilings, or other fixed mounting means located above the area ultimately to be illuminated by the lamps, devices for facilitating the replacement of burnt-out, or otherwise inoperative, lamps are provided in order to protect workmen who perform the said services against falling lamps and other customary hazards of such services.

4 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures LOCKING MEANS FOR DOUBLE PIN FLUORESCENT LAMPS The invention relates, therefore, to locking means for double-pin fluorescent lamps which will insure the proper mounting and retention of such lamps in their mounting holders and will adequately serve to insure the proper electrical connection of the terminals (end pins) of the lamps with the respective contact elements of the end-adjacent lamp holders. The said locking means are preferably formed of a dielectric or insulating material such as Nylon," or equivalent and substantially similar synthetic plastic material, and such locking means may be, and preferably are, subjected to treatment in a heated bath of an impregnating substance, such as the dye commercially available as TINTEX" which will serve to harden the plastic material, give it the resiliency and normal rigidity adequate to insure operative stability for repeated insertion into and removal from locking position with respect to the lamp pins and lamp holders, and also to provide the surfaces of the locking means with reflective characteristics, preferably of a glowing nature, which will sim plify the work of the servicing operator in installation and removal of the locking, and lamps, particularly in overhead installations.

The primary object of the invention is to provide means for locking double-pin fluorescent lamps in their customary lamp holders in such a manner that they will not become dislodged, or electrically inoperative, in the presence of vibration or shock and thus also to guard against their falling from overhead installations with possible breakage and, or, danger of injury to workers operating beneath them.

Another object is to provide locking means for use in the installation of double-pin fluorescent lamps which mey readily be installed in, and removed from, locking position with respect to the bi-pins and the cooperating lamp holder means by a simple push or pull, respectively, of the locking means at substantially right angles to the axis of the lamp.

A still further object of the invention is to so form the locking device that it will tenaciously grip the end of the lamp adjacent to the lamp holder and will remain in such position and will also, due to the engagement with the end pins of the lamp, prevent inadvertent rotation of the lamp upon its longitudinal axis and its possible disengagement from the lamp holder means, thus insuring that the lamp will not fall from its installed position in the lamp holder means and the possibility of injury to those working below it avoided.

Furthermore, the coloration of the lamp locking device, and the nature of the means whereby such coloration is obtained not only serve to strengthen the locking device but also to make it of a reflective nature whereby, when the lamp is lighted, considerable assistance, particularly in overhead installations, in enabling an operative to determine whether a lamp is functioning properly, or not, and to direct his attention to the correction of malfunctioning, is provided.

Moreover, the hardening of the plastic material of the locking device by its subjection to the bath of im pregnating material, and its ability to withstand heat due to such impregnation, tend further to prolong the life of the locking device and to withstand any distortion thereof which might result in malfunctioning during service.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent as the following description proceeds.

In the accompanying drawings illustrating the invention, in the several figures of which like parts are similarly designated,

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of one end of a fluorescent lamp installed in operative position in its respective lamp holder, and with the lamp locking means of the invention applied thereto in operative locking position.

FIG. 2 is an end view of the parts shown in FIG. I but with the locking means in a position below the lamp but suitable for engagement with the lamp end and lamp holder.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 but with the locking means in a position of partial advancement to locking position.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the parts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 in locking position as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a side view of the parts as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, and showing the relation of parts of the locking device in elevation.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view, taken on line 66 of FIG. 5, and showing the relation of parts of the locking means in elevation.

FIG. 7 is a view of the inner face of the locking means.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a tool for installing and removing the locking means with respect to an elevated installation, and

FIG. 9 shows the tool of FIG. 8 during an installation or removal of the locking device.

Having reference particularly to FIGS. 1 to 6, it will be seen that the electrically wired, conventional, lamp support means 1, which may be suspended from a ceiling, or may be rigidly mounted upon any other suitable mounting element which will position the fluorescent lamp 2 in proper position to illuminate the desired adjacent area, the said support means being provided with a pair of similar lamp holders 3, only one of same being shown, spaced longitudinally of the support means a distance proper to receive between them the said lamp with its terminal pins 4 (FIG. 6) in engagement, upon rotation of the lamp upon its longitudinal axis, with the customary resilient contact elements 5 of the respective, longitudinally spaced, lamp holders 3.

As shown particularly in FIGS. 2 to 7, inclusive, the lamp locking means of the invention comprises a base plate 6 for insertion between the inner face of the adjacent lamp holder 3 and the proximate metal ferrule 7 of the lamp. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 this base plate 6 has a radially offstanding tang member 8 to which is fastened by a set-screw 9 a finger piece 10, or, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, it may furnish an engagement portion for a jaw member 11 having an extended handle 12 for use in engagement of the jaw member with the tang member 8 in elevated installations of the lamp holder 3 and the lamp locking means, or for disengagement of such lamp locking means from its locking position.

Also, the base plate 6 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced guides. or stop members, 13 for engagement with the lateral edges of the lamp holder 3, and an offstanding lug 14 for engagement in the usual groove 15 of the said lamp holder.

Extending inwardly of the base plate 6 is a socket 16 providing two parallel walls 17 and an offstanding centrally disposed lug 18 which, between them. provide recesses 19 for reception of the lamp pins 4 when the lamp has been rotated into its locking position.

Furthermore, the locking member includes a pair of arcuate arms 20 which, when the locking member is properly installed in locking position with respect to the lamp end, will embrace the periphery of the lamp ferrule, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 5, 7 and 9.

Various changes and modifications are considered to be within the purview of the invention and the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

l. Locking means for a fluorescent lamp for holding said lamp in operative electrical assembly with a lamp holder means in which the lamp is mounted, compris ing a base plate having a major surface for insertion be tween the cylindrical end portion of the lamp and the adjacent face of the lamp holder means, said base plate having means for engagement with end pin means of the lamp and provided also with first means offstanding in one direction axially of the lamp for engagement with the lamp holder means, second means extending axially of the lamp in the opposite direction for embracing the cylindrical end portion of the lamp, said means comprising a pair of resilient, radially expansible, arcuate arms, each arm being axially displaced, and separate, from the major surface of the base plate,

said locking means serving, when inserted, to prevent axial rotation of the lamp with respect to the lamp holder means and insure retention of the lamp in the lamp holder means and thus to provide for operative electrical engagement of said pin means with complemental contact means of the lamp holder means, and to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the lamp from the lamp holder means.

2. Lamp locking means for a fluorescent lamp as claimed in claim 1, in which the said locking means is formed from a moldable plastic substance, including subjection of the said locking means to the action of an impregnating substance which will serve to harden the said plastic substance and to deter its distortion when it is serving the locking function.

3. Locking means for fluorescent lamps as claimed in claim 1, in which the said impregnating substance will also provide the locking means with reflective surfaces which will serve, when the lamp is lighted, to illuminate the area adjacent to the locking means.

4. Locking means for fluorescent lamps as claimed in claim 1, and including also with said base plate radially offstanding means to furnish a finger grip and a means for engagement of a tool for insertion and removal of the locking means with relation to its locking position. l l 

1. Locking means for a fluorescent lamp for holding said lamp in operative electrical assembly with a lamp holder means in which the lamp is mounted, comprising a base plate having a major surface for insertion between the cylindrical end portion of the lamp and the adjacent face of the lamp holder means, said base plate having means for engagement with end pin means of the lamp and provided also with first means offstanding in one direction axially of the lamp for engagement with the lamp holder means, second means extending axially of the lamp in the opposite direction for embracing the cylindrical end portion of the lamp, said means comprising a pair of resilient, radially expansible, arcuate arms, each arm being axially displaced, and separate, from the major surface of the base plate, said locking means serving, when inserted, to prevent axial rotation of the lamp with respect to the lamp holder means and insure retention of the lamp in the lamp holder means and thus to provide for operative electrical engagement of said pin means with complemental contact means of the lamp holder means, and to prevent inadvertent disengagement of the lamp from the lamp holder means.
 2. Lamp locking means for a fluorescent lamp as claimed in claim 1, in which the said locking means is formed from a moldable plastic substance, including subjection of the said locking means to the action of an impregnating substance which will serve to harden the said plastic substance and to deter its distortion when it is serving the locking function.
 3. Locking means for fluorescent lamps as claimed in claim 1, in which the said impregnating substance will also provide the locking means with reflective surfaces which will serve, when the lamp is lighted, to illuminate the area adjacent to the locking means.
 4. Locking means for fluorescent lamps as claimed in claim 1, and including also with said base plate radially offstanding means to furnish a finger grip and a means for engagement of a tool for insertion and removal of the locking means with relation to its locking position. 